נָאַם
𐤍𐤀𐤌
nâʼam
H5001 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To utter, declare, or speak—especially with reference to solemn or formal proclamation, often conveying divine or authoritative speech. Typically used to introduce an oracle, declaration, or pronouncement attributed to a deity or an authority, indicating that the utterance carries special significance or weight. While the root may denote the act of speaking, in the Hebrew Bible its principal usage is as a formulaic marker introducing or authenticating a prophetic oracle (commonly 'declares' or 'says' as in 'declares YHWH').
Semantic Range
to pronounce solemnly, to utter or speak as an oracle, to declare (usually with divine or prophetic authority), to announce; in formulaic contexts to introduce or authenticate a prophetic, legal, or proverbial statement
Root / Etymology
Root is נאם (n-ʼ-m), which in its primitive sense relates to the act of speaking or uttering. The precise nuance may be related to low, solemn speech, possibly 'to murmur' or 'to declare.' The noun form נְאֻם (ne’um) is commonly used in prophetic literature to introduce or attribute oracles to YHWH. The root does not indicate general speech, but typically specialized, weighty utterance.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, נָאַם is almost never used for ordinary speech but reserved for declarations of particular solemnity or authority, most famously in prophetic oracles (often as נְאֻם־יְהוָה, 'declares YHWH'). The construction functions as a formula similar in force to a legal or royal proclamation, authenticating the authority of the utterance. Its use is concentrated in prophetic and poetic texts, especially in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the Twelve Prophets, but also appears in wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs, Psalms) for divine or sage utterances. In later biblical and post-biblical Hebrew, its usage diminishes in favor of other verbs for 'say' or 'declare.' English translations often render it as 'says,' 'declares,' or 'oracle,' but these do not always convey the solemn, formulaic authority of the term in Hebrew context. The verb and its cognate noun נְאֻם do not overlap with general verbs for verbal communication but are highly specialized; they differ from אמר ('to say'), דבר ('to speak'), which have broader semantic ranges. Post-biblical usage is rare and mostly limited to quotations of scriptural passages.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; properly, to whisper, i.e. (by implication) to utter as aoracle; say.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נאם (n-ʾ-m) — to utter, to declare, to proclaim
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5001-01 |
וַֽ/יִּנְאֲמ֖וּ | vayineamu | HC/Vqw3mp |
and say | and they declared | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5001-01 |
Jeremiah 23:31 | וַֽ/יִּנְאֲמ֖וּ | vayineamu | HC/Vqw3mp |
and say | and they declared |